What's On Tap: Recent & Upcoming Speakers
“Plants Are (Almost) Everything”
SDBG President & CEO Ari Novy, PhD
Thursday, January 15, 2026 – 6:30 – 7:30 PM

Botanic gardens are more than just beautiful places — they play important roles in human wellbeing, education, plant science, and conservation. SDBG President & CEO Ari Novy, an internationally recognized leader in the horticultural world, will explore how botanic gardens engage the public to nurture a healthier planet. Discover how these important green spaces are also hubs for groundbreaking research on medicinal, native, and food and agricultural plants that can sustain us for generations to come.
“Preserving and Protecting Otay Mountain’s Hidden Flora”
SDBG Conservation Manager Rachel Sadowski
Wednesday, April 22, 2026 – 6:30 – 7:30 PM

Just south of San Diego, along the U.S.–Mexico border, Otay Mountain is home to an incredible variety of native plants—many of which grow nowhere else on Earth. This rugged landscape supports more than 50 rare plant species, making it one of the most biologically unique areas in our region.
Over the past five years, staff from San Diego Botanic Garden (SDBG) have worked closely with the Bureau of Land Management to locate, map, collect seeds from, and grow ten of the area’s most threatened plants. Through careful fieldwork and hands-on plant propagation, the team is helping ensure these species survive for future generations.
Join SDBG Conservation Manager Rachel Sadowski for a look at this remarkable wilderness and learn how studying and growing rare plants today can guide successful restoration efforts tomorrow—right here in San Diego’s backyard.
Register